Sheet metal clip



A. S. WEINSTEIN SHEET METAL CLIP Oct. 17, 1933.

Filed Sept. 3, 1931 S-Sheets-Sheet l oz. 45'- (Usinaiev'ro,

(1. PMM/k 06L 1933- A. s. WEINSTEIN SHEET METAL CLIP Filed Sept. 3, 1931 3'Sheets-Sheet 2 Oct. 17, 1933. A. s. WEINSTEIN SHEET METAL CLIP Filed Sept. 3, 1931 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 cZ. 13'. Wemsiev'rz,

Patented Oct. 17, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE snnn'r METAL our Abraham S. Weinstein, Brighton, Application September 3, 1931. Serial No. 561,057 14 Claims. (01. 103-23) The present invention, in its broadest aspect, relates to connecting or fastening means for a plurality of sheets of metal or the like, which securely retains the sheets in desired relation while permitting a certain predetermined limited amount of relative movement. therebetween.

More specifically, the invention has particular relation to sheet metal flashing, and especially to a metallic clip or fastener therefor adapted to positively interconnect a pair of flashings while permitting relative movement therebetween to allow for expansion or the like of the parts or relative movement between the building parts to which the several flashings may be applied.

In joining base flashing to cap flashing, the latter is-usually built into the wall first. The cap flashing, in practice, has to be bent up or raised to permit insertion therebeneath of the base flashing. Then the cap flashing is bent back to a position over and adjacent the base flashing.

The common practice, at the present time, is to solder these flashings to each other at a plurality of spaced points. This procedure, however, is disadvantageous because the base flashing is usually attached to the roof of the building, and the roof, in time, usually settles with respect to the wall. The result is to sever the solder joints between the base and cap fiashings or to tear the base flashing up from the roof.

The object of the present invention is to obviate these deficiencies by providing a flashing fastener which shall permit movement of the base flashing or the like with respect to the cap flashing while retaining the two in proper joint relationship. More broadly stated, the object is to provide a fastener of the aforementioned character adapted for joining sheet metal in general, but of particular advantage where so-called condensation overlapping is specified.

A further object of the invention is the provi sion of a fastener or clip of the above described characteristics which shall eliminate the neces-' sity of having registering openings on both sheets of metal to be interconnected through which openings the fastener shall be adapted to pass.

According to the instant invention, the clips may be applied to one of the sheets in the field or at the factory while the other sheet need undergo no preliminary manipulation or perforation.

The fastener, according to the invention, is protaching this modification to the first sheet of aforementioned, as will be better understood from the detailed description below.

The foregoing and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains, from the detailed 80 description thereof, hereinafter given, are attained by the illustrative embodiments of the invention herein disclosed, consisting of the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts fullydescribed below, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereunto appended.

In the said drawings,

Figure-1 is a plan view of a sheet metal blank from which the preferred form of the present invention may be fabricated;

Figure 2 is a. sectional viewtaken on line 2-2 of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a sectional view, similar to Figure 2, showing the parts bent'to final position;

Figure 4 is a front view of the fabricated clip or fastener:

Figure 5 is a side view of the fabricated clip; Figure ,6 illustrates themethod of attaching the clip to one of the metallic sheets to be interconnected;

Figure 7 illustrates the relative position of the parts immediately after the clip has punched its way through the second metallic sheet;

Figure 8 is a front view of the pair of sheets interconnected, all the parts being in final position;

Figure 9 is a sectional view of the parts on line 9-9 of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is a plan view of a sheet metal blank from which a modified-fastener may be fabricated; I

Figures 11 and 12 illustrate the method of atmetal; v

Figure 13 is a front view of a pair of sheets interconnected by means of this modification;

- Figure 14 is a sectional view taken on line 14-- 14 of Figure 13; 4 10 Figure 15 shows a blank for a third form of the invention; I

Figures 16 and 1'7 illustrate the method of attaching this modification to a sheet of metal; ---Figure 18 is a front view of a pair of sheets interconnected by the third form of the invention;

Figure 19 is a sectional view on line 19-19 of Figure18;"

Figure 20 is a blank for a fourth form of the invention;

. through; and

sheet members interconnected by the fourth form of the invention;

Figure 24 is a sectional view taken on line 24- 24 of Figure 23;

Figure 25 is a side view of a fifth form of the invention;

Figure 26 is a cross sectional. view there- Figure 27 shows this form in operative relationship to a pair of interconnected sheet metal members.

Figure 28 is a sectional view on line 28-28 of Figure 27.

Figure 29 is a perspective view of a portion of cap and base flashings with one form of the invention applied thereto, and before assembly of the flashings; and

Figure 30 is a view similar to Figure 29, but with the flashings in assembled relation.

Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several figures of drawings;

Referring now to the said drawings, and particularly to Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, reference 1 indicates, as a whole, the sheet metallic blank from which a preferred embodiment of the invention is adapted to be fabricated. The said blank may preferably be made of hardened sheet copper, brass, or any other suitable metal adapted, in the fabricated form of the device, to cut through a sheet of relatively soft copper or the like, such as usually constitutes sheet metallic flashing.

As may be seen by reference to Figure 1 of the drawings, this blank consists of a body portion 2, from which is pressed or raised, by any suitable method or means, hollow socket or button 3. Button 3 is preferably disposed centrally of the body portion 2. The ends of blank 1 are rounded to a point, as clearly shown in Figure 1, to constitute sheet metal perforating or punching elements. At each juncture of the body portion 2 and end 4, they are slotted, as indicated at 5. The extent of said slots 5 is variable and upon it depends the amount of relative movement possible between the two interconnected sheets of metal. Preferably each slot 5 terminates, at the upper end thereof, in an enlargement 6.

In fabricating the fastener, according to this invention, each end 4 is first bent rearwardly to a position at right angles to the body 2, the bend being located at the slot 5. The body member 2 is then folded forwardly upon itself, as

shown in Figure 3, in manner such that, in ultimate position, ends 4 are centrally disposed with respect to button 3.

Figure 6 of the drawings illustrates the method of attaching the fabricated clip to the base flashing '7 or other sheet of metal. The said member "I is preliminarily provided with a plurality of suitably spaced sage therethrough of buttons of button 3, the portion through base flashing 'l is flattened so that the button 3 is peened over, securely attaching the clip to the flashing. As previously explained, this attaching operation may be made at the factory or on the job.

When cap flashing 8, or other sheet of metal, is brought into position over base flashing 1', a suitable tool is brought into play to bring the latter'into close adjacence with the former. During this operation, the projecting ends 4, being of thereof which projects r relatively hard metal, cut or punch their way through the relatively soft material of which flashing 8 is made. Ends 4 are then bent over flat against member 8, and the two flashings are securely held against separation. Slots 5 however permit limited relativeverticalmovementbetween the two flashings to compensate for expansion of the parts orfor settling of the roof, or for any other movement-impelling cause.

Referring now to Figures 10 to 14, inclusive, reference number 11 indicates, as a whole, a sheet metal blank for fabricating a modified form of the invention.

This form differs essentially from the previously described form in that button 3 is replaced by a pair of extensions or lugs 13 projecting centrally from the top and bottom of body portion 12. These extensions or lugs 13 are adapted to be projected rearwardly from said body 12, to pass through correspondingly shaped slits in base flashing 1'7, and to be bent downwardly against this flashing in the position shown in Figure 12.

The ends 14, instead of being rounded, are rectilinear in character. In every other respect they are'similar to previously described ends 4.

Body portion 12, in this modification, is slotted, as at 15, from both the top and bottom edges. The amount of relative movement permitted between interconnected flashing members 1'? and 18 is determined by the combined extent of each group of slots 15. Each slot 15 preferably terminates in an enlargement 16.

A third form of the invention is illustrated in Figures 15 to 19, inclusive. This form is substantially identical with that shown in Figures 10 to 14, inclusive, except that lug members 13, which correspond in function to aforedescribed extensions 13, are punched out medianly frombody 12' of the clip. The form of slot represented by reference numerals 5 and 6 is used in this form in place of the form indicated by 15 and 16.

Figures 20 to 24, inclusive, illustrate a fourth form of the invention. This form is substan- 120 tially identical with the second form except that a diamond shaped blank replaces the elongated blank of Figure 10. In every other respect, the function of the several corresponding parts, as indicated by the corresponding reference numer- 125 als, is alike.

In Figures 25, 26, 27 and 28, the final form of the invention is shown. This form comprises essentially a button'like member 21 and a pair of blade members 22, preferably of the confi ura- 130 tion illustrated in Figure 25 of the drawings. This clip is attached to'the base flashing 23 by the button 21, shown in Figure 28, using a and the cap flashing 24 is slipped thereover, the blades 22 cutting their way 135 through. Blades 22 are then bent back against the cap flashing.

. The final form of the invention is particularly designed for use in connecting sheets of honor I the like. It is preferably made of hard brass, 1 40 steel or like material. Instead of the connection shown in Figure 28, the clip may be soldered, or otherwise suitably integrated with the flashing 23.

It is also apparent that the form of the inven- 145 tion shown in Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, may be attached to an imperforate base flashing after the manner illustrated in Figure 28 of the drawings. The latter type of connection recommends itself particularly when imperforate base flashing 15v is specified, or in the case of low base flashing where it is necessary to utilize the full height or extent thereof with no holes or openings therein to eliminate any possibility of leakage.

It will be understood that the edges of blade members 4, 14 and 22, in the several embodiments of the invention, may preferably be provided with sharp cutting edges instead of the somewhat blunted edges illustrated on the drawmgs.

While several illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention thereby or otherwise than by the terms of the appended claims. For instance, while the illustrated forms permit only relative vertical movement between the interconnected flashings, it is clearthat the direction of the slots may be changed to change the direction of such movement or to allow movement in several directions.

What is claimed is:

l. A sheet metal fastener of the character described comprising a body portion, means for attaching said fastener to one of a pair of metallic sheets to be interconnected, blade-like members adapted to cut through the other of said sheets, said members being connected to said means, the greatest width of said blade-like means being substantially greater than the extent of the connection between the members and the attaching means.

2. A one-piece sheet metal clip for interconnecting a pair of sheets of metal, comprising a body portion, rearwardly extending means adapted to be connected to one of said sheets of metal, and forwardly extending blade means adapted to cut through the other of said sheets and to be bent backwardly thereagainst.

3. A sheet metal blank adapted for use in the manufacture of a fastener or the like comprising an elongated body portion, blade-like ends, lug means disposed substantially centrally of said body portion, said blank being slotted at the juncture of said body portion and ends.

4. A metallic clip of the character described comprising a body portion, blade-like members projecting forwardly-and centrally of said body portion, lug means projecting rearwardly and centrally of said body portion, said clip being slotted at the juncture of said body portion and blade-like projections.

5. A flashing clip for interconnecting juxtaposed base and cap flashing including means adapted to be bent backwardly against said flashing on the non-adjacent sides thereof, said means being slotted, whereby relative sliding movement between said flashings is permitted.

6. In combination, base flashing, blade-like means projecting from said flashing at substantially right angles thereto, said projections being partially slotted at the juncture thereof and the base flashing.

7. A flashing clip comprising a body portion adapted to be integrated to a base flashing or the like, blades connected to said body portion, said blades being adapted to cut a slot in a cap flashing to be connected to said base flashing, the extent of said slot being greater than the extent of the connection between said blades and body portions.

} 8. A sheet metal clip for interconnecting a pair of sheetsof metal, comprising a, body portion. rearwardly extending means adapted to be connected to one of said sheets of metal, and forwardly extending blade means adapted to cut through the other of said sheets and to be bent backwardly thereagainst, said body portion being slotted, whereby a predetermined amount of movement between said interconnected sheets is made possible.

9. The combination, in a clip of the character described, of means for holding a pair of sheet metal members against relative movement in one direction, and means allowing relative movement between said members in another direction.

10. In combination, a base flashing, a cap flashing, means for retaining said flashings against relative movement in one direction, and means allowing relative movement between said flashings in another direction.

11. In combination, a base flashing and a cap flashing, said flashings being movable relatively to each other in the general plane thereof, and clip means for holding saidflashings against relative movement in a direction at an angle to said plane.

12. In combination, a wall, a building roof adapted to settle with respect to said wall, a flashing attached to said wall, a second flashing attached to said roof, and clip means connected to one of said flashings and extending through the other and holding said flashings against separation while allowing movement therebetween as a result of said settling.

13. In combination, a cap flashing, imperiorate base flashing, a blade-like member connected to said base flashing and adapted to out a slot in said cap flashing, the extent of said slot being greater than the extent of the connection between said blade-like member and said base flashing.

14. The construction defined in claim 3, said lug means extending from the top and bottom edges of said body portion.

s. WEINSTEIN. 

